Barcelona's possible pursuit of Everton manager Ronald Koeman has all but ended as the Catalans have been turned away by the expensive release clause in his contract at Goodison Park.
The Blaugrana continue to stall on naming Luis Enrique's successor and it appears likely that they will instead wait until the end of the season to do so.
A host of names around Europe have been linked with taking up the hot-seat the Nou Camp, including Koeman, whose previous ties with the club has led to speculation that he may be in the running for the job.
Barcelona are keen to make an internal appointment or name a new manager who has an understanding of the club's unique philosophy.
Koeman himself has had two separate spells with the Catalans, firstly as a player in the 80's, and then later as an assistant manager in the late 90's.
The Dutchman has already played down rumours about a move to the Nou Camp throughout the last few months and it seems that he may not even be offered the job as Spanish publication Sport (via talkSPORT) suggest that the £6.7m release clause in his contract at Everton means that Barcelona will likely end any interest in him.
The Spanish giants are understood to be against paying such a high fee and with the Toffees adamant that the clause is non-negotiable, it seems that the Blaugrana will turn their attentions elsewhere.
Whilst Koeman has impressed in his first season on Merseyside, his Everton team now look unlikely to break into the Premier League's top six. A 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday leaves the Toffees three points behind Arsenal in sixth, whilst they have also played two games more than the Gunners, who they face on the final day of the league season.
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